March 22, 2017, Tapaz Capiz – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region VI under the helm of Regional Manager Engr. Gerardo P. Corsiga, turned over a Php 250,000 worth rubber boat to Tapaz, Capiz LGU and San Julian, San Pedro, San Antonio Farmers Irrigators Association (SJPAF IA), Inc. to be used for operations and maintenance of Marugo Dam Reservoir, also known as Marugo Lake, located in Tapaz, Capiz. Said turn-over ceremony was held at Marugo Reservoir site during the celebration of World Water Day.

Marugo dam was built by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) and canal lines were built by NIA to irrigate the nearby farmlands of Brgys. San Julian, San Pedro, and San Antonio.

SJPAF IA, Inc. President Mr. Lumar G. Pardola expressed his gratitude to NIA for the delivery of their requested rubber boat which will be used both for operations and maintenance of dam and in times of disaster.

On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Region VI through NIA delivered 100 bags of corn to be distributed among the barangays of Tapaz as livelihood support.

“Malipay gid ang mga tawo sa amon barangay kay ang binhi nga halin sa DA makabulig gid sa ila pangabuhian. Amo gid ini ang amon number one nga pangabuhian. Kung mag uma kami sang palay (Malidu upland rice), isa lang ang patubas pero kung mag uma kami sang mais, duha amon patubas sa isa ka tuig.” (The people in our barangay will be very happy because the seeds from DA will help with their livelihood. This is our number one livelihood. If we plant rice, we only harvest once a year but if we plant corn, we harvest twice a year.), said Brgy. Capt. Pelham Despair of Brgy. Sinunod, Tapaz, one of the recipients of corn seeds. This is just another convergence initiative between NIA and DA.

Mayor Roberto O. Palomar of Tapaz also expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support of different government agencies to his municipality.

Tapaz, Capiz is also the site of the NIA proposed Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP). This project aims to build 2 dams namely, Panay High Dam and Panay Afterbay Dam; Panay Right High Line Canal, Augmentation High Line Canal, Mambusao High Line Canal, and Sapian Floodway. NIA is hopeful in providing long term solution to agricultural problems in Capiz as well as mitigate the effects of perennial flooding. Other components include potable water supply and hydropower generation.

NIA Quezon, City – The payment of plant damages and other improvements affected by the construction of Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II - North and South Main Canal are continuously being processed.

As of to date, the agency said that about 970 families were affected and resettled as the project verge to its full-blown implementation. That is why NIA BBMP II together with the local government units and other government agencies work hand in hand to synchronize their efforts to help affected communities.

NIA Region 3 Manager and BBMP Project Manager Engr. Josephine B. Salazar, during one of the discussions with local officials, said that local executives claimed that much sought and long awaited construction of BBMP II is a green light for the unhindered development of Tarlac.

Smooth relocation of the Project Affected Families (PAFs) prior to the construction of Balog-balog high dam is in progress. Resettlement site development II, slope protection/riprapping, construction of core house, construction of community structures at San Jose area, and construction of water and electrical system at Mambog, Sula, San Jose, Tarlac are some of the construction activities under the resettlement program this year.

The recent data also revealed that the construction of the Diversion Tunnel pegged at P897 million and repair and upgrade of Tarlac Diversion Dam which costs P140 million were both on-going. The South Main canal packages 1 and 2, which were bid out last year, were already given the Notice of Award.

Once completed, the project will provide year-round irrigation to approximately 34,410 hectares of farmlands in the municipalities of Paniqui, Pura, Ramos, Victoria, Gerona, San Jose, La Paz, Capas, Concepcion, and Tarlac City.

The mega dam is set to increase rice production within the area by 177.5% from 126,480 metric tons to 350,980 metric tons which will support at least 23,000 farmers and the rice per capita consumption of the Tarlaqueños.

CALINOG, ILOILO – Ninety Indigenous Peoples affected by Iloilo’s biggest irrigation development project now have bigger opportunities for better lives. This as they recently completed skills training under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Through the strengthened partnership of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and DSWD, SLP was extended to the disadvantaged families of Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II). Through this, sustainable livelihoods, employment and interventions for affected families of government infrastructure projects such as the JRMP II are secured and ensured.

Sixty IPs completed training in Masonry and 30 others in carpentry. These IPs came from the directly affected barangays of the project such as Cahigon, Masaroy, Agcalaga, andAlibunan. On top of these, IPs from Guinbunyogan, BinulosanPequeño, Toyungan and Garanganalso availed of the skills training.

“Dakoguidangakonpagpasalamatsa DSWD kag NIA bangodnakataposako sang training… walaguidakonagalaomngamataw an man ako sang amodyangaoportunidad (I am thankful to DSWD and NIA because I have availed of the training… I did not expect that I would be given such opportunity),” expressed 44-year old Carlos Eugene Habania of Barangay Cahigon. He availed of the skills training in Carpentry. His house and farm lot will be submerged once the implementation of the dam is completed.

Habania currently provides for his family through slash and burn farming in Cahigon where he harvest a total of 50 sacks of palay annually. To further meet his family needs, he also works as carpenter’s assistant.

“Subongnga may training naakokag may mgagamit, pwedenaguidngaakomismomanginpanday… kinahanglankonalangpasaronang assessment (Now that I have a training and tools, I can now do carpentry works on my own… I only need to pass the assessment),” he added. “Handana kami nga mag obra kun matigayonnaang dam (We are now ready to work once the dam is pursued).”

Under the SLP modality, the participants also received starter kits and allowances during their training. Furthermore, they will be assisted by the DSWD for a skills assessment under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Once they pass, the participants will earn a National Certificate 2 (NC 2) for their particular trade. This certificate is an eligibility requirement acknowledged locally and internationally.

On NIA’s part, the IP trainees will be hired by the contractor of the JRMP II dams and irrigation structures. The project’s Land Acquisition and Resettlement Action Plan (LARAP) provides that one member of every Project Affected Family (PAF) will be employed by the contractor during the project implementation. In addition to this, NIA will also ensure that the PAFs are ready and qualified for employment through skills training.

In October 2016, NIA and DSWD inked a memorandum of understanding for the generation of employment and livelihoods for the affected population of the JRMP II. Both agencies aim to maximize their resources and programs for poverty alleviation and protection of social, cultural and economic well-beings of project-affected communities.

Furthermore, DSWD is one of the national government agencies that comprise the 27-member Inter-Agency Convergence Mechanism for Iloilo’s biggest irrigation development project. These agencies will help address infrastructure, livelihood and social basic services requests of the affected communities of the project.

JRMP will be the first large-scale reservoir dam outside of Luzon. It will provide year-round irrigation to 31,840 hectares of farm land and increase rice production. Also, its 6.6 megawatts hydroelectric power and bulk water component will augment the province’s and city’s demand for power and water.During its construction, the project will generate thousands of employment opportunities for the PAFs and the Ilonggos.

Currently, NIA is just awaiting for the result of the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) that will determine the project’s constructor.